What Religion is Closest to Buddhism?

What Religion is Closest to Buddhism? Unveiling the Spiritual Similarities

Understanding Buddhism and its Core Beliefs

Well, if you've ever wondered, "What religion is closest to Buddhism?" you're not alone. It's a question that pops up often when we start exploring world religions. To answer this, it’s important to first grasp what Buddhism truly represents.

Buddhism is a path to spiritual enlightenment, focusing on the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path. At its core, Buddhism emphasizes overcoming suffering (dukkha) through mental discipline, ethical conduct, and wisdom. It's not a religion in the conventional sense, but more of a philosophy of life. Personally, when I first began looking into Buddhism, it seemed quite different from the major monotheistic religions I was familiar with. But as I learned more, I realized the deep connections it shares with other spiritual traditions.

So, what religion shares the closest similarities with Buddhism? Let’s dive in.

Jainism: The Closest Spiritual Neighbor

Key Similarities with Buddhism

Jainism is perhaps the closest religion to Buddhism, both originating from the Indian subcontinent. Honestly, when I first discovered Jainism, I was surprised at how much it mirrored Buddhism in terms of beliefs and practices. Both religions emphasize non-violence (ahimsa), truth, and the liberation of the soul.

In Jainism, like Buddhism, the goal is to achieve liberation (moksha) by eliminating karma, which is similar to the Buddhist pursuit of enlightenment. Both emphasize the importance of meditation and mindfulness, and the renunciation of worldly attachments.

One major difference, though, is the concept of a soul (atman) in Jainism, while Buddhism doesn’t have a permanent soul, believing instead in the concept of anatta (no-self). But, despite these nuances, the ethical practices around non-violence and self-discipline make Jainism a close relative of Buddhism.

A Personal Anecdote About Jainism

I had a chance to meet a Jain monk once during my travels. What struck me most was his deep commitment to non-violence—not just in action, but in thought as well. It reminded me a lot of the Buddhist teachings I’d been reading about. The way they both focused on inner peace as a means to bring peace to the world was so powerful.

Hinduism: A Shared Indian Background

Parallels Between Buddhism and Hinduism

Now, Hinduism is another religion that shares some striking similarities with Buddhism, though the two are distinct. Both originated in India and share concepts like karma, samsara (the cycle of rebirth), and moksha (liberation).

Hinduism, however, is a more theistic religion compared to Buddhism, which is non-theistic. While Buddhism doesn't worship gods, Hinduism incorporates a wide array of deities within its practices. However, many of the paths in Hinduism, like the yogic and meditative paths, resonate with Buddhist principles.

The Influence of Hinduism on Buddhism

Interestingly, Buddhism arose as a reform movement within the context of Hindu society. Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha) was born into a Hindu society and was influenced by many of its ideas, especially concepts like dharma and karma. But Buddha ultimately offered a different path—one that doesn't require devotion to gods, focusing instead on personal effort to end suffering.

A Conversation with a Hindu Friend

I was chatting with my friend Raj, who’s a practicing Hindu, and he pointed out that both religions share a deep respect for meditation and spiritual awakening. We agreed that, even though the religious frameworks differ, both offer valuable insights into how to live a compassionate and mindful life.

Taoism: A Buddhist Parallel in the East

Taoism’s Connection to Buddhist Practices

Taoism, although originating in China, also shares some remarkable similarities with Buddhism. Taoism emphasizes the importance of living in harmony with the Tao (the Way), which can be seen as a spiritual path that is very much akin to the Buddhist quest for enlightenment. Both emphasize simplicity, meditation, and non-action (wu wei), which is quite similar to the Buddhist idea of letting go of ego and desires.

The Taoist concept of balance and following the natural flow of life is very much aligned with the Buddhist idea of overcoming attachment and embracing impermanence. In my conversations with Taoist practitioners, I’ve often found that the practices of mindfulness and meditative focus are incredibly similar to those in Buddhism.

Conclusion: The Spiritual Relatives of Buddhism

Honestly, when you look at the broader spiritual landscape, Buddhism shares deep connections with several religious traditions. Jainism is the closest in terms of ethical practices and goals, while Hinduism and Taoism also share many philosophical similarities.

However, what makes Buddhism unique is its focus on personal enlightenment without reliance on deities, its emphasis on mindfulness, and its quest to understand the nature of suffering and how to transcend it. Whether through Jainism’s ascetic practices, Hinduism’s paths to liberation, or Taoism’s emphasis on simplicity, Buddhism finds common ground with these religions.

In the end, if you’re looking for a religion that mirrors Buddhism in some ways, Jainism would be your closest match, but each of these traditions offers valuable insights into the nature of life and spiritual growth.

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.